A new dance studio, Ashley J’s Dance Center, recently opened in Austin. Owned by the 25-year-old Ashley Johnson, the Chicago native opened the business to pursue her passion of giving back to the community with performing arts.
Adults gathered in active wear with water bottles at Ashley J’s Dance Center’s first adult line dance class Sunday afternoon, enjoying the newly remodeled space with sprung dance floors, studio mirrors and blasting music. They danced to trending line dances with the bass of Luther Vandross’ hit single “Bad Boy” echoing against the walls.
Born and raised in Chicago’s Austin community in a household of creative “movers,” Johnson was inspired to take on dance as her career from a young age.
“We were always moving, I guess you could say that was a big thing in my house. When I started dancing at the age of three, my mother put me in my first dance class where I fell in love with ballet,” Johnson said.
After visiting Ghana in 2022 during her college experience at Webster University, Johnson developed her passion to professionally teach dance. During the study abroad trip she was able to experience two months of traditional West African movement techniques.
With years spent as a dancer and minoring in criminology in college, Johnson mentions how she never took any business management courses in college. Though, she was fortunate enough to take on a business internship which helped her to learn the logistics of running a business.
“It’s been a learning experience for us as a family, something we put together and made it so that we could equally learn the business atmosphere,” said her father and operations manager, David Johnson Sr. “I think it’s going to be well, financially a good thing, as well as professionally.”
Johnson’s formal training has led her to the success of giving back to the community that she was raised and educated in.
“I want kids and adults to be able to go down the street, take a class, and walk back home. You can get good training right here in your neighborhood,” Johnson said.
Johnson Sr. has a background in coaching for Chicago’s Jesse White Tumbling team and experience with entrepreneurship, which contributed to the younger Johnson’s passion for owning her own dance studio.
“It is a great location, newly remodeled, with all the bells and whistles that you need to come out and enjoy yourself. We’re a warm family-type atmosphere for the West Side,” Johnson Sr. said.
Marla Moss, a resident of Chicago’s west suburban Westchester area, came to the dance center Sunday afternoon for the adult line dance class. Moss has a passion for line dancing; she takes part in salsa classes and is currently mostly participating in gym workouts.
“Take a look around in this day and time, businesses are really struggling, and people are really struggling. People are moving out of the community for various reasons, and to see such a young lady do what her passion is and open a business is awesome,” said Moss.
Johnson’s goal for her dance business is to expand all over the city and other parts of the world to eventually form a dance ensemble.
“I see us opening another space in five years for sure,” said Johnson.
Mostly, Johnson’s main goal for her business is to build a sense of community on the West Side of the city, even if there are social challenges within the process of going into business for herself.
“Learning that you can’t please everyone has been one of my challenges, I think because my heart tells me to wonder what will satisfy others at their convenience,” said Johnson. “You won’t be able to please everyone, not in the entrepreneurship business.”
Johnson intentionally decided to open her dance studio in Austin as her way of creating more unity in the Austin neighborhood. The uniqueness of this dance studio is in its difference in culture: Johnson’s dance studio isn’t only just a dance studio, it is also an event space used for social events in the community.
“No matter if you are a new dancer or a seasoned dancer, Ashley J’s has a spot and is for you,” said Johnson. “Your voice will be heard here; you can come here and find a sense of comfort.”
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